The Foundation is a private
non-profit-making organisation established to implement the Laona Project, a
US$1m. rural regeneration and ecotourism project in western Paphos, which was
completed in 1994. The project involved five villages on the border of the
proposed Akamas reserve area and helped introduce the concept of agrotourism to
Cyprus through the project’s activities. A total of 26 traditional buildings
were restored, points of visitor attraction were developed in each village, and
a number of publications were produced.

Since 1994 the Laona Foundation
has continued its activities, offering guidance to the people of Laona; but at
the same time, at the request of other communities outside Laona, it has
broadened the scope of its activities to cover all areas of Cyprus. In recent
years the Foundation has worked closely with the Cyprus Conservation Foundation/Terra
Cypria
and with the Cyprus Architectural Heritage Organisation; since 2003 it has been
taking an increasing interest in issues of landscape and participates as an
observer in the meetings of the Landscape Convention, Council of Europe.

Implementation of the Laona Project
(Phases I to IV) 1989-94, funded by MEDSPA-LIFE Programmes and other donors.

Organisation and conduct of a study
visit for an NGO group from Nepal, to study the effects of mass tourism and
obtain a better understanding of agrotourism, funded by the Sheepdrove
Trust, U.K, 1998.

Study visit to Xanthe,Thrace
(Northern Greece) to study and report the potential for
encouraging restoration of the old part of town, funded by the Leventis
Foundation, 1998

Preparation and delivery of a
seminar and site visit for the Cultural Anthropology Department of Frankfurt
University, 1999.

The River Valleys (Kiládes) Project,
a sustainable management plan for the Riverine Communities of Eastern
Paphos, funded by LIFE ’99 and other donors. This project aimed to assist
the regeneration of seven communities by enhancing their natural and
cultural heritage, 1999-2002.

Bipartite cooperation between
eastern Paphos and Sitia, Crete, for sustainable development and
eco-tourism, funded by the Greek Ministry of Planning and Environment,
2001-2002.

INFORMATION OF THE LAONA VILLAGES

With assistance from the
Laona Project, a number of houses in five villages close to the proposed Akamas
National Park have been restored in the traditional Cypriot style and may be
rented by holiday-makers. The accommodation is all self-catering; the houses
are well furnished and equipped and all include a kitchen (or kitchenette) and
bathroom with shower. The sizes of the houses vary from studios to two double
bedrooms. Houses currently available are shown on the following pages.

The villages in which the
Laona Project properties are located are all small and vary in the facilities
they have to offer. All the villages lie about 10km south of Polis and about
20km north of Paphos. The Laona area is extremely attractive, especially in
Spring, with a wide variety of landscapes from coastal to hill country. Those
guests interested in seeing the Spring flowers should visit between the
beginning of March and the end of May. The main bird migrations, when a wide
variety of species may be seen, take place in Spring and Autumn. The Troodos
mountains, which reach to 2000 metres, and the Paphos forest (home of the
moufflon, the island's indigenous mountain sheep) are close by. The Laona
Project villages are:

Kritou Terra:

An attractive villages set
amid fruit and nut trees. An abundant water supply means that it is always
green, even in the heat of summer. Set on a hillside, it offers the possibility
of good walks. The village hosts the
Environmental Studies Centre, and has two coffee shops, a post office and a
grocery store. It is five minute's drive from Droushia, which has numerous
small restaurants and a hotel.

Pano Akourdalia:

A tiny village set amongst
almond trees and vineyards, in which the Laona Project has renovated several
houses and has established a Nature Garden at the old school. Excellent walking
country and local sites include spectacular gorges and ancient churches. A
small coffee shop opens erratically, but there is no taverna or shop: supplies
may be obtained from Kathikas, about 7 minute's drive from the village.
Kathikas also offers several tavernas; the Araouzos Taverna and Farm Yard
Taverna have been assisted by our Project.

Kato Akourdalia:

A small village set on a
hillside overlooking the Troodos mountains. It contains Amarakos Inn which
offers meals and a coffee shop, but no shop. The Folk Art Museum is well
worth a visit. The Inn with its stone court yard and well appointed bedrooms
was renovated with assistance from the Laona Project. Excellent walks to the
restored Miller's House and a Byzantine chapel on the edge of a spectacular,
"undiscovered" gorge.

Miliou:

This small village is
almost buried in trees and orchards thanks to an abundant supply of water. It
has a coffee shop/taverna. Close by is an abandoned monastery turned hotel,
where a therapeutic sulphur spring still runs. The village offers the
possibility of several attractive walks, and traditional weavers work here.

Kathikas:

Although no houses are
offered for rent by the Laona Project in this village, other houses are
available, and it is well worth visiting for its tavernas, its Visitor Centre,
and some good general stores.

The Laona initiative has
inspired the restoration of more houses, in all villages and those available for
rent can be found via the Cyprus Tourism Organisation.

We strongly recommend that
you hire a car if you intend to stay in one of the Laona villages, as the local
public transport is very limited and serves the villagers' needs rather than
those of the tourist.

For guests wishing to
bring children with them, we suggest that the most suitable properties
available are Amarakos Inn at Kato Akourdalia, Mr Karamanos' maisonette at
Miliou and Chloe's house at Pano Akourdalia. We should point out that the Laona
villages are very quiet and offer no modern entertainment facilities for young
people. It should also be noted that there is no central heating in the
houses, but the owners provide heaters in the Winter.

Please note that the Laona
Foundation is a small non-government organisation promoting sustainable
development. We are not a travel agency and although we are glad to offer
information about the areas, in which we are working, we cannot provide details
of other parts of Cyprus or the facilities on offer there, nor do we have data
about other properties in our own areas of activity.

UK holiday makers wishing
to rent one of ‘our’ houses in the Laona area, are advised to contact Sunvil
Holidays, London, for all bookings. They offer an attracting package including
flights, hire car, etc.